Egypt legalises 156 churches with many more still waiting
World Watch Monitor Egypt legalised 156 more churches and service buildings on Tuesday, bringing the total of approved religious venues to 783, reports the Egypt Independent. Since 2016, more than 3,700 churches have applied for legal status under a new law that was designed to make it easier to establish and build churches in Egypt. A cabinet committee […]
Protestant leader rejects Egypt’s community reconciliation system
World Watch Monitor The head of Egypt’s Protestant Church has said he urges clergy not to take part in “reconciliation sessions” that aim to resolve community conflicts without the involvement of the police and legal system. Rev Dr Andrea Zaki said he “strongly” opposed the scheme because it renders the law “absent”. Rev Dr Andrea Zaki, president […]
US Vice President’s plans to help Middle East Christians overshadowed by political storm
World Watch Monitor US Vice President Mike Pence in a June 2017 photo PICTURE: NASA/Bill Ingalls US Vice President Mike Pence’s postponed trip to the Middle East goes ahead this weekend amid myriad tensions and a fast-shifting diplomatic landscape. Mr Pence’s trip is a shortened version of the one planned for last month, which was […]
IS renews threat to Copts as Al-Azhar head says Islam “at war with itself”
World Watch Monitor A pro-Islamic State (IS) group media outlet has issued a new threat against Egypt’s Coptic Christians, saying they must be attacked as “infidel fighters” and their churches must be blown up. The message, issued by the Wafa Media Foundation, said Copts did not accept dhimmitude – the condition of submission imposed by Sharia […]